CPDT-KA Study Guide Exam
Species Designation - answerCanis Lupis Familiaris
What does "Tame" mean? - answer(v) to domesticate; (adj) a domesticated animal
which is not dangerous or frightened of people;
What is "Domestication"? - answer(v) Adapting an animal (or plant) to life in intimate
association with and to the advantage of humans; (adj- "domestic") An animal that has
undergone extensive behavioral and biological changes resulting from selective
breeding over the course of many generations resulting in tameness
What does "Neoteny" mean? - answerThe retention of immature characteristics in
adulthood
*Many modern dog breeds retain neotenous characteristics.
What does "Phylogeny" mean? - answerThe evolutionary history of an organism
What is "Phylogenetic Behavior" (in dogs)? - answerBehaviors common to the dog as a
species:
*Food acquisition
*Hazard avoidance, safety/comfort seeking
*Reproductive behaviors
What are "Fixed Action Patterns"? - answerInnate or phylogenetic behaviors which must
be completed before the animal stops;
Examples: urine marking even if the dog has no urine remaining in system or circling
before laying on a blanket
What is "Ontogenetic Behavior"? - answerA response to environmental influences. It is
learned, has be rewarded, and can be modified. ie. dog running to name after being fed
previously when name was called
Tempermant - answerNature v. Nurture; Learned v. Innate.
Instinctive Drift - answerThe Breland Effect. The prepotency of strong instinctive
behavior patterns over those which have been conditioned. Wherever an animal had
strong instructive behavior, the organism will drift toward instinctive behavior to the
detriment of the conditioned behavior.
, Critical Periods - answer3-16 weeks. Socialization window begins to diminish by 16
weeks.
Testosterone - answerInfluences behaviors such as mounting, mating, searching for
females, scent marking, and aggression. If the dog has a history of being reinforced for
such behaviors, that behavior now has a conditioned element and doesn't depend on
testosterone.
Female Hormones - answerEstrogen and progesterone. Estrus twice a year. 20 days
duration. Spaying does not reduce aggression levels in females. Instead may increase.
Neuropsychology - answerRelationship between the brain and the body.
Engrams - answerMuscle Memory. Development and storage of familiar motor action.
The neural pathways.
Reticular Activating System (RAS) - answerAttention center of the brain. Where things
are perceived, processed, and acted upon. Tuning out things that are unimportant.
Limbic System - answerNetwork of cells in the brain that integrates instinct and learning.
Also involved emotions such as fear. When active Cerebral Cortex is inactive.
Cerebral Cortex - answerCognitive Functions, such as learning and problem solving.
When active, Limbic System is inactive.
Oppositional Reflex - answerIf you pull one way, the dog will pull the other.
Social Hierarchy - answerFlexible. Subordinate members show submissive behaviors to
dominant members, than dominant individual displays of their super rank. Dominance is
not the same as aggression. Relationships establish over time by numerous
interactions.
Phermones - answerProduced by lactating females are thought to create a sense of
well-being in their puppies.
Baseline Posture - answerDog is relaxed. Muscles are fluid and move gracefully.Not too
bold, not too worried.
Mutual Curving Nose to Tail - answerGreeting behavior
Bow - answerAll in good fun.
Hackles - answerPiloerection. Indicates arousal.
Species Designation - answerCanis Lupis Familiaris
What does "Tame" mean? - answer(v) to domesticate; (adj) a domesticated animal
which is not dangerous or frightened of people;
What is "Domestication"? - answer(v) Adapting an animal (or plant) to life in intimate
association with and to the advantage of humans; (adj- "domestic") An animal that has
undergone extensive behavioral and biological changes resulting from selective
breeding over the course of many generations resulting in tameness
What does "Neoteny" mean? - answerThe retention of immature characteristics in
adulthood
*Many modern dog breeds retain neotenous characteristics.
What does "Phylogeny" mean? - answerThe evolutionary history of an organism
What is "Phylogenetic Behavior" (in dogs)? - answerBehaviors common to the dog as a
species:
*Food acquisition
*Hazard avoidance, safety/comfort seeking
*Reproductive behaviors
What are "Fixed Action Patterns"? - answerInnate or phylogenetic behaviors which must
be completed before the animal stops;
Examples: urine marking even if the dog has no urine remaining in system or circling
before laying on a blanket
What is "Ontogenetic Behavior"? - answerA response to environmental influences. It is
learned, has be rewarded, and can be modified. ie. dog running to name after being fed
previously when name was called
Tempermant - answerNature v. Nurture; Learned v. Innate.
Instinctive Drift - answerThe Breland Effect. The prepotency of strong instinctive
behavior patterns over those which have been conditioned. Wherever an animal had
strong instructive behavior, the organism will drift toward instinctive behavior to the
detriment of the conditioned behavior.
, Critical Periods - answer3-16 weeks. Socialization window begins to diminish by 16
weeks.
Testosterone - answerInfluences behaviors such as mounting, mating, searching for
females, scent marking, and aggression. If the dog has a history of being reinforced for
such behaviors, that behavior now has a conditioned element and doesn't depend on
testosterone.
Female Hormones - answerEstrogen and progesterone. Estrus twice a year. 20 days
duration. Spaying does not reduce aggression levels in females. Instead may increase.
Neuropsychology - answerRelationship between the brain and the body.
Engrams - answerMuscle Memory. Development and storage of familiar motor action.
The neural pathways.
Reticular Activating System (RAS) - answerAttention center of the brain. Where things
are perceived, processed, and acted upon. Tuning out things that are unimportant.
Limbic System - answerNetwork of cells in the brain that integrates instinct and learning.
Also involved emotions such as fear. When active Cerebral Cortex is inactive.
Cerebral Cortex - answerCognitive Functions, such as learning and problem solving.
When active, Limbic System is inactive.
Oppositional Reflex - answerIf you pull one way, the dog will pull the other.
Social Hierarchy - answerFlexible. Subordinate members show submissive behaviors to
dominant members, than dominant individual displays of their super rank. Dominance is
not the same as aggression. Relationships establish over time by numerous
interactions.
Phermones - answerProduced by lactating females are thought to create a sense of
well-being in their puppies.
Baseline Posture - answerDog is relaxed. Muscles are fluid and move gracefully.Not too
bold, not too worried.
Mutual Curving Nose to Tail - answerGreeting behavior
Bow - answerAll in good fun.
Hackles - answerPiloerection. Indicates arousal.
